Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Co-op students help ݮƵ transition to online courses
This is an excerpt of an article originally published onthe Hire ݮƵ website.
The University of ݮƵ is leveraging more than 300 co-op students to support faculties in the development and delivery of new online academic courses.
“Everyone’s ‘new normal’ requires a new approach, a fresh perspective,” says Norah McRae, associate provost of co-operative and experiential education. “Our university, like others, has been transitioning to increased online course delivery. Now, more than ever, we can leverage the strength and talent of our co-op students to move forward together as an institution.”
The majority of the roles are funded in part by the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), which provides up to $7,000 of a student’s salary. SWPP was recently extended to include post-secondary educational institutions, and ݮƵ received pre-approval for 300 SWPP positions. To qualify, students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or have refugee status. The University has provided additional funding for 20 positions that will be made available to international students.
“This is an unprecedented time for federal funding to support students in the workplace,” says McRae. “The funding provides a remarkable boost for the University and for all employers who leverage it. The message is clear: young talent is a critical part of the workforce.”
McRae notes that many employers have already hired ݮƵ students for the Spring 2020 work term. But, she adds, some organizations and industries are looking for creative ways to bring in fresh hires.
“Even here at the University, we are employing our students to help us with real-time innovation and adaptation,” says McRae. “We secured the funding, and then tapped into our expertise on campus to ensure the students are well-prepared for the work. Like any employer, we want them to contribute and be successful.”
Read the rest of the article on Hire ݮƵ.
Second round of MFA thesis defences go online
A message from the Department of Fine Arts.
In response to theto the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the unfortunate cancellation ofthe second round ofMFA thesis exhibitions scheduled May 7 to 23, the Department of Fine Arts and University of ݮƵ Art Gallery invites you to explorethe work of MFA candidatesԻonline or viadownloadable PDF.
Kayla Witt - Condemned to a Perpetual Jacuzzi... With Millions of Your Best Friends
A Fantasy Unfulfilled,Kayla Witt, 2020.
Condemned to a Perpetual Jacuzzi… With Millions of Your Best Friendsis a multi-media body of work that investigates the personal, the socio-political, and the cultural notions of home. The mind’s vision of home is most often held as an idealized place—the location where meanings and attachments are personal and symbolically intense. Forms of utopian thinking are embedded as the very cornerstone of what the home represents, especially in contemporary media iterations. My work grapples with the lived experience and materiality of the home by redrafting the imagery presented in Interior Design and Architectural magazines. Through collage, painting, performance and video, I subvert the structured and predictable media’s language of desire. At first glance, my work appears “homey”, as the magazine source material is evident, but as details register and accumulate, it becomes apparent that there is a tension between comfort and discomfort in the images. There is disruption and unpredictability in these inaccessible, aspirational spaces. You wouldn’t actually want to live there even though it feels like you might.
is an MFA candidate at the University of ݮƵ, and received a Bachelor of Fine Art from OCAD University. She has exhibited at The Gladstone Hotel, Struts Gallery and Faucet New Media Centre, Critical Distance Centre for Curators, The White House Studio Project, YYZ Artist’s Outlet, Bunker 2, among others. She was awarded the Shantz International Research Scholarship through the University of ݮƵ, and worked with Tony Berlant inLos Angeles in summer of 2019. She is also the recipient of the 2020 Sylvia Knight Award in Fine Arts.
Brubey Hu - I Have No Home But Me
3 or 4 or 5?(in studio), Brubey Hu, 2019.
I Have No Home But Meexplores themes of home and duality through personal narratives embedded in my paintings and artists’ books. A duality that exists within a body does not necessarily exist as a pair of oppositions. The pair can also be complementary to each other, or live at the same time as coexistence. Employing geometric shapes painted over twopanels using masking tape, this visual duality is constructed withindiptychs that juxtaposeopacity and reflection. The paintings are my attempt to discuss the notions of consensus and reconciliation.The usedtapesare collectedtoserve as the memory of how the paintings are made. In addition,abook of poetry collects my writings expanding the themes of memory, identity, and translation. The combination of paintings and books investigates theevaporationof information and emotion, through the process of translation that I frequentlyexperienceas abilingual womanliving in-between places—a bridgebetween worlds.
is an MFA candidate at the University of ݮƵ, and received a Bachelor of Fine Art from Maryland Institute College of Art. She has exhibited at Art Mur in Montreal, Canada; Hui Yuan in Hefei, China; and Florida International University in Miami, US. In 2018, Brubey participated in BAiR Emerging Visual and Digital Arts Residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She was awarded a Shantz International Research Scholarship through the University of ݮƵ, and worked with Agnes Barley in New York City in the summer of 2019.
Insights from a global health expert; more good goose swag and other notes
This week,the Office of Advancement hosted a webcast with Dr. Rohit Ramchandani (BSc ’04) to answer some of the hard hitting questions surrounding COVID-19. Rohit is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in our School of Public Health & Health Systems and the founder & CEO at Antara Global Health Advisors, a global consultancy that provides technical expertise & evidence-based public health and management advice to public and private organizations around the world.
Read the recapto see five valuable insights Rohit shared about the COVID-19 virus, how we can get back to “new-normal” life and the role we can all play in preventing pandemics.
Wondering what’s up with the geese on campus while it’s closed?Alumnus Kathleen Fu (BAS ’17), and SamToman(Faculty of Environment) bring you a new design collaboration available at the W Storefor contact-less pick-up. T-shirts, totes, mugs and more all feature our feathered overlords that isn’t exactly to scale but feels pretty right.
Kathleen and Sam met while working together theSpring 2019 ݮƵ Magazine— A Tale of Three Cities. Thanks to an assist by Creative Services associate director Christine Goucher they approached the folks at the W Store, who loved the idea. "Kathleen, a former Architecture student, is the real star of the project," writes Toman."Check out her imaginative designs ason Instagram. And learn more about this Toronto-based alumnus’ creative process inby the communications team in Advancement."
ճwinter 2020 issue of theISTNewsletteris now available. Read about staying connected while working remotely; online collaboration with Office 365; six-month adoption of Azure data toolset; ability to set a chosen/preferred name;joining the Campus IT Team; and more.
A perfectly cromulent collection of Good Buddies of the University
"Atlasis taking this whole stay at home thing seriously with his new crib," writes Sarah Vandekerckhove, administrator in Campus Wellness. "Thanks to his grandpa and grandma for using some of their quarantine time to spoil this pooch."
"When she was a kitten, instead of walking she kept jumping like a deer so, we named herBambi," writes Marilena Strambu, dual degree admissions specialist in the Registrar's Office. She loves her daily outdoor walks, playing fetch and acting like a dog."
"This is CalicoBelleԻStanthe Tuxedo Cat," writes Professor Julia Roberts of the Department of History. "To be honest, they do not do much work… but they’re good fluff balls to have around in these difficult days."
"This isMolly, she’s not sure why we’re here but she’s finding it exhausting," says a submission from Bill Power, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Andrea Carthew, associate director, advancement, School of Optometry & Vision Science."First, we are interrupting her precious couch time.She is not allowed on the couch but we know by the ‘evidence’ that she’s been relaxing there while we’re at work.Hard to get away with if we’re here to catch her.Second, since we are here she may as well bring us all of her toys…..one by one….as a subtle hint that we should be playing with her in between her naps. Third, she is doing a great job of getting us to get up and stretch by regularly demanding to go outside and then almost immediately asking to come back in.Usually while one or both of us are in a meeting.This is weather-dependent of course.She wouldn’t want to get her hair wet."
Linkof the day
When and Where to get support
Studentscan visit theStudent Success Officeonline for supports including academic development, international student resources, leadership development, exchange and study abroad, and opportunities to get involved.
Բٰܳٴǰcan visit theKeep Learning websiteto get support on adapting their teaching and learning plans for an online environment.
Employeesto help them work remotely, includingmanaging University records and privacy of personal information
Here are sometips for staying healthywhile working from home:
ճWriting and CommunicationCentre has gone virtualto provide assistance.
We understand that these circumstances can be troubling, and you may need to speak with someone for emotional support.Good2Talkis a post-secondary student helpline based in Ontario, Canada that is available to all students.
If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact theUniversity’s Campus Wellness services, eitherHealth Servicesor Counselling Services.
The Libraryhasonhow to avoid information overload.
ճFaculty Association of the University of ݮƵ (FAUW)continues to advocate for its members.for more information.
ճUniversity of ݮƵ Staff Association (UWSA)continues to advocate for its members.Check out the UWSA blogfor more information.
WUSA supports for students:
Food Support Service food hampersare currently available from the Turnkey Desk on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.in the ݮƵ Centre. If you have any questions please email us atfoodsupport@wusa.ca.
MATES– Providing general online Peer Support via Skype to undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please contactmates@wusa.ca
Empower Meis a confidential mental health and wellness service that connects students with qualified counsellors 24/7. They can be reached at 1-844-741-6389.
Glow Centre- Providing online Peer Support for the LGBTQ2+ community via Skype to Undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please contactglow@wusa.ca
The Women’s Centre– Providing online Peer Support via Skype to undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please contactwomenscentre@wusa.ca
RAISE– Providing online Peer Support via Skype to undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please contactraise@wusa.ca.
Centre for Academic Policy Support-CAPS is here to assistݮƵ undergraduates throughout their experience in navigating academic policy in the instances of filing petitions, grievances and appeals. Please contact them atcaps@wusa.ca. More information at
WUSA Commissionerswho can help in a variety of areas that students may be experiencing during this time:
- Equity –equity@wusa.ca
- Co-op and Experiential Affairs –coop.affairs@wusa.ca
WUSA Student Legal Protection Program-Seeking legal counsel can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time facing a legal issue.The legal assistance helpline provides quick access to legal advice in any area of law, including criminal. Just call1-833-202-4571.
When and Where (but mostly when)
Please note:The University has suspended all in-person events until further notice. Please contact the event organizers to confirm whetherthe event has shifted to an online mode of delivery.
If you have listed an event with the Daily Bulletinand need to cancel, postpone or modify the listing, please send an email tobulletin@uwaterloo.ca.
If you have an upcoming event that has not yet appeared in the When and Where listing, please send an email tobulletin@uwaterloo.cato confirm the event's status.
, Monday to Friday, three times a day at 10:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Workouts will bebroadcastlive through ZOOM Video Communications.
Writing and CommunicationCentre virtual writing cafés,Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
is live-streaming classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdaysfrom 12:05 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. in April and May.
Copyright for Teaching,Thursday, May 7, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., online.
Thursday, May 7, 10:00 a.m.
, Thursday, May 7, 11:00 a.m.
featuring Ann Fitz-Gerald, BSIA Director as moderator, with speakers from Canada, the UK, Germany, the USA and Ethiopia, Thursday, May 7, 11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
HREI Spring Training,Anti-Racism Workshop, facilitated by Dr. Gauthamie Poolokasingham, Thursday,May7, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
HREI Spring Training,The History of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, hosted by Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, Thursday, May 7, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Ask Us Anything: HREI and Your Campus, Friday, May 8, 12:00 noon to 12:45 p.m.
Friday, May 8, 1:00 p.m.
Faculty of Mathematics International Women in Mathematics Day digital celebration, Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Register online.
Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion seminar,Allyship – Your Support Role, hosted by Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, Tuesday, May 12, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
with Nicole Pin, Dietitian, 2025 ݮƵ, Wednesday, May 13, 11:00 a.m.
COVID-19 Ask Our Experts Community Talk,"Long-term care and our loved ones,"Wednesday, May 13, 12:00 p.m.Register now.
Wednesday, May 13, 2:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Ask Our Experts Community Talk, "Social media and our quarantine life,"Wednesday, May 20, 12:00 p.m.
President's Virtual Town Hall, Wednesday, May 20, 1:30 p.m., online.
Wednesday, May 20, 6:30 p.m., online.
,Tuesday, May 26,1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.